The NFL isn’t just about talent; it’s about timing, teams, and trust. While some quarterbacks thrive in chaos, others find their magic under the right guidance. For Bo Nix in Denver and Russell Wilson in Pittsburgh, this season has been proof that sometimes, a change in scenery—or strategy—is all it takes to silence the critics. So what’s the scoop? Time to dig in, folks?

NFL great JJ Watt recently joined The Pat McAfee Show to deliver a perspective that hit like a blitz. Discussing Bo Nix and Russell Wilson, Watt declared, “Situations matter for not only rookies but everybody in the NFL.” And it’s not just the rookie Bo Nix, we talking about. After transitioning to Pittsburgh, Russell Wilson presents himself as an example of a thriving QB. Watt’s words perfectly encapsulate both QBs’ performance this season.

Take Russell Wilson, for example. His rocky stint in Denver last year was written off by many as the decline of a star, but Watt wasn’t buying the narrative. “Everybody, you paint Russ out as having such a bad year, but when you actually sit down and look at it—not that bad of a year. Goes over to the Steelers now and is playing phenomenal football,” he explained. Wilson’s transformation in Pittsburgh has been electrifying. Against the Bengals, he threw for over 400 yards—his first time doing so since 2019! No doubt he earned the admiration of his head coach, Mike Tomlin. “He put himself squarely in the history of this series with that performance today,” Tomlin said.  

Meanwhile, in Denver, rookie quarterback Bo Nix is making waves. Watt pointed out how Sean Payton’s offseason decision to draft Nix over others was all about fit. “Sean Payton clearly had his eyes on a different quarterback. He goes out in the draft, he gets Bo Nix. And Bo starts out maybe a little shaky, but now is playing some really good football.”

Payton’s knack for understanding his players has allowed Nix to grow at his own pace. While there have been learning moments—like his 51.4% completion rate in a win over the Browns—Nix has also delivered jaw-dropping plays, such as a 93-yard touchdown from his own end zone. That play wasn’t just a rookie highlight; it was a testament to Payton’s philosophy of trusting his players. As he bluntly put it, “You have to be careful you’re not over-coaching.”

Momentum meets opportunity: Broncos and Steelers reaping rewards

The ripple effects of great coaching are impossible to ignore. In Denver, the Bo Nix–Sean Payton duo is doing more than just piling up wins—it’s unlocking the potential of players like wide receiver Courtland Sutton. After a tense offseason centered around his contract? Sutton is now closing in on an additional $1.5 million in incentives, thanks to Denver’s improved offensive output.  

Sutton’s success mirrors the Broncos’ overall improvement. Payton’s focus on timing and rhythm over perfection is evident in how the team has gone from a struggling offense to averaging 23.5 points per game. Well above last year’s 21-point mark! And as Nix continues to adapt, Denver’s playoff hopes look brighter than ever.  

Across the league in Pittsburgh, Wilson is also making a mark. Under Tomlin’s leadership, he’s mastered the intensity of AFC North football, proving he’s still got the edge to thrive. Tomlin summed it up perfectly, “It’s the first time for him going through AFC North football, and I thought he acclimated himself to it well today.”

Both quarterbacks are proof that while talent gets you to the NFL, the right situation keeps you there. As Watt aptly said, “Just because it didn’t work out in one spot doesn’t mean it’s not working out in another.”  

From Wilson’s resurgence in Pittsburgh to Nix’s promising rookie campaign in Broncos, their stories are testaments to the power of context in the NFL. Great coaching, trust, and adaptability have turned what could’ve been rocky paths into promising arcs.